Thursday, October 11, 2012

The LEGO Group And Nickelodeon Announce Expanded Global Partnership To Bring "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" To The Construction Toy Category

The LEGO Group and Nickelodeon Announce Expanded Global Partnership to Bring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the Construction Toy Category

- Construction Toy Collection to Launch in January 2013 -

BILLUND, Denmark, Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The LEGO Group, makers of the world's leading construction toys, and Nickelodeon, one of the world's leading entertainment brands for kids, announced today an expansion of their global partnership to develop construction toys inspired by the recently launched CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series. The collection is slated to launch in North America and the UK in January 2013 and will roll out in global markets later in the year. The companies have a long-standing relationship and first partnered together in 2006 to create LEGO® SpongeBob Squarepants. Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiered on Sept. 29 and was an instant hit, drawing almost 12 million viewers during its premiere weekend.

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brings the action-packed adventures of Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Leonardo to life in LEGO form with a series of vehicles, renowned scenes and iconic LEGO minifigures. One playset and select minifigures from the forthcoming line will be unveiled at the LEGO booth #1538 at New York Comic-Con at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from October 11-14.

"We are thrilled to partner again with Nickelodeon to help bring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to a new generation of kids," said Jill Wilfert, vice president, licensing and entertainment for The LEGO Group. "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles seamlessly combines action and comedy and Nickelodeon is brilliantly balancing what was great about the original property while still making it feel fresh. No doubt fans and builders alike will love the LEGO products our team has created."

"Following the triumphant return to TV of Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles we're very excited to expand our connection with our audience and fans through stellar creative play with one of the most respected and admired brands in the world: LEGO," said Manuel Torres, Senior Vice President Global Toys and Electronics for Nickelodeon. "LEGO's system of play combined with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle power will lend itself to hours and hours of creativity and fun for kids and families around the globe."

The series begins as the turtles emerge from their hidden lair in the sewers for the very first time, ready to confront the wondrous and hostile world of New York City and face enemies more dangerous and pizza more delicious than anything they could have imagined. Funnier and with more ninjutsu than ever before, the show will explore the companionship of four teenage brothers learning to rely on themselves and one another as they unravel the mystery of their existence and grow to become the heroes in a half-shell that they are destined to be. The premiere episode was executive produced by Ciro Nieli, Joshua Sternin & J.R. Ventimilia and Peter Hastings.

The 26-episode, half-hour action-comedy series breathes new life into the wildly popular band of reptile brothers played by Jason Biggs (American Pie) as "Leonardo," Rob Paulsen (Planet Sheen) as "Donatello" (Paulsen also voiced the original "Raphael" from 1987-1996 in the very first TMNT series), Greg Cipes (Teen Titans) as "Michelangelo" and Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings) as "Raphael." The series airs regularly on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT).

Considered one of the most popular kids' television programs of the 1980s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a classic, global property created in 1984 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It first debuted as a successful comic book series and then became a hit animated TV show, a live-action television series and later spawned four blockbuster theatrical releases. The property also has translated into a significant consumer products business—with DVDs, video games, toys and more--that has generated billions of dollars at retail.

About The LEGO Group

The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children, employing approximately 9,000 people globally. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities. LEGO products can be purchased in more than 130 countries. Visit www.LEGO.com

Nickelodeon, now in its 33rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

Lego will be rolling out a range of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle products in January.

The company announced today that it was teaming up with Nickelodeon to launch a range of construction toys inspired by the new animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV show that aired for the first time in the UK last week.

Turtles Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Leonardo will be getting the Lego treatment in the form of playsets and minifigures, with some sets going on display at New York Comic-Con this weekend.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first appeared in 1984 in a comic book created Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It later became an animated TV show and also spawned four theatrical releases.

Lego and Nickelodeon have previously worked together to create Lego SpongeBob Squarepants.

The Lego Group has expanded its global partnership with Nickelodeon to produce construction toys based on the iconic mutant turtles.

The toy line will include play-sets and minifigures, some of which are being shown off this week at the New York Comic-Con, from October 11th to 14th.

The toys are set to arrive in North America and the UK in January 2013, and will roll out to global markets later on.

Click the image below for a high-res look at the new Lego Turtles products:

Turtles was a smash hit in the '80s and now it's making a comeback on children's TV channel Nickelodeon. The series premiered on October 1st in the UK; new episodes will air on Monday evenings at 5pm.

Lego and Nickelodeon have already worked together in 2006 to produce Lego SpongeBob Squarepants.

"We are thrilled to partner again with Nickelodeon to help bring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to a new generation of kids," said Jill Wilfert, The Lego Group's VP of licensing and entertainment.

"No doubt fans and builders alike will love the Lego products our team has created."

Manuel Torres, senior VP for global toys and electronics at Nickelodeon, added: "Following the triumphant return to TV of Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we're very excited to expand our connection with our audience and fans, through stellar creative play, with one of the most respected and admired brands in the world: Lego.

"Lego's system of play combined with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle power will lend itself to hours and hours of creativity and fun for kids and families around the globe."

Other Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles licensees include Playmates, with Giochi Preziosi and its subsidiary Flair responsible for its toy range in the UK and Europe.

Worlds Apart will be developing a bedroom and outdoor play range, while Sambro will be launching wheeled goods, games and licensed arts and crafts products.

The LEGO Group, Nickelodeon expand their global partnership to develop a range of toys

The LEGO Group and Nickelodeon have announced that they would expand their global partnership to develop a range of LEGO construction toys inspired by the recently launched CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series (set to launch in sub-Saharan Africa on Nickelodeon, channel 305 on DStv, at 11:25 on Sunday, 25 November).

One of the most popular kids’ television programmes of the 1980s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a classic, global property created in 1984 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It first debuted as a successful comic book series and then became a hit animated TV show, a live-action television series and later spawned four blockbuster movie releases. The property also has translated into a significant consumer products business - with DVDs, video games, toys and more - that has generated billions of dollars at retail.

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brings the action-packed adventures of Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Leonardo to life in LEGO form with a series of vehicles, renowned scenes and iconic LEGO minifigures. One playset and select minifigures from the forthcoming line will be unveiled at the LEGO booth at New York Comic-Con from Thursday, 11 October to Sunday, 14 October.

The collection is slated to launch in North America and the UK in January 2013 and in sub-Saharan Africa early in 2013. The companies have a long-standing relationship and first partnered together in 2006 to create LEGO SpongeBob Squarepants. In the USA, Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Turtles premiered on Saturday, 29 September and was an instant hit, drawing almost 12 million viewers during its premiere weekend. The premiere episode was executive produced by Ciro Nieli, Joshua Sternin and J.R. Ventimilia and Peter Hastings.

The new 26-episode, half-hour action-comedy series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles breathes new life into the wildly popular band of reptile brothers, played by Jason Biggs as Leonardo; Rob Paulsen as Donatello; Greg Cipes as Michelangelo and Sean Astin as Raphael.

The series begins as the turtles emerge from their hidden lair in the sewers for the very first time, ready to confront the wondrous and hostile world of New York City and face enemies more dangerous and pizza more delicious than anything they could have imagined. Funnier and with more ninjutsu than ever before, the show will explore the companionship of four teenage brothers learning to rely on themselves and one another as they unravel the mystery of their existence and grow to become the heroes in a half-shell that they are destined to be.

“We are thrilled to partner again with Nickelodeon to help bring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to a new generation of kids,” said Jill Wilfert, vice president, licensing and entertainment for The LEGO Group. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles seamlessly combines action and comedy and Nickelodeon is brilliantly balancing what was great about the original property while still making it feel fresh. No doubt fans and builders alike will love the LEGO products our team has created.”

"Following the triumphant return to TV of Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles we're very excited to expand our connection with our audience and fans through stellar creative play with one of the most respected and admired brands in the world: LEGO,” said Manuel Torres, Senior Vice President Global Toys and Electronics for Nickelodeon Consumer Products. “LEGO's system of play combined with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle power will lend itself into hours and hours of creativity and fun to kids and families around the globe."

Following the success of its Marvel and DC sets, Lego is turning its attention to perhaps one of the most famous indie comics-turned-multimedia juggernauts of all time, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Starting in 2013, Lego will roll out sets based on Nickelodeon's new CG animated TMNT series in the US and UK, including the team's new vehicle of choice, the Shellraiser. To tease the announcement, Lego sent out a fun buildable pizza slice press kit, with plenty of homages to TMNT lore on the box. This week at New York Comic Con, however, Lego will be giving fans a much closer look at its plans for the TMNT at booth #1538. You can take a look at images of Lego's new TMNT minifigures, the Shellraiser Street Chase set, two NYCC exclusive minifigs being given away at the show and the pizza slice press kit after the cut.

Growing up I was a huge fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon. Though I wasn't a fan in the slightest of the horribly cheesy live-action TMNT movie. I was a bit excited when I heard that Nickelodeon was coming out with a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon and that cartoon has turned out to be impressively popular. To go along with that new cartoon, Nickelodeon and that purveyor of the geekiest of toys, LEGO, have announced new LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sets.

The sets will bring Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Leonardo to life as LEGO minifigs, complete with little weapons.

The LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sets will include a series of vehicles and scenes building sets. The first set being shown off is #79104 – The Shellraiser Street Chase – complete with pizza delivery truck

The sets are currently being shown off at the New York Comic-Con through October 14th, and will arrive in stores in North America and the U.K. in January 2013.

The LEGO Group, makers of the world's leading construction toys, and Nickelodeon, one of the world’s leading entertainment brands for kids, announced today an expansion of their global partnership to develop construction toys inspired by the recently launched CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series. The collection is slated to launch in North America and the UK in January 2013 and will roll out in global markets later in the year. The companies have a long-standing relationship and first partnered together in 2006 to create LEGO®SpongeBob Squarepants. Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiered on Sept. 29 and was an instant hit, drawing almost 12 million viewers during its premiere weekend.

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brings the action-packed adventures of Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Leonardo to life in LEGO form with a series of vehicles, renowned scenes and iconic LEGO minifigures. One playset and select minifigures from the forthcoming line will be unveiled at the LEGO booth #1538 at New York Comic-Con at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from October 11-14.

“We are thrilled to partner again with Nickelodeon to help bring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to a new generation of kids,” said Jill Wilfert, vice president, licensing and entertainment for The LEGO Group. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles seamlessly combines action and comedy and Nickelodeon is brilliantly balancing what was great about the original property while still making it feel fresh. No doubt fans and builders alike will love the LEGO products our team has created.”

“Following the triumphant return to TV of Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles we’re very excited to expand our connection with our audience and fans through stellar creative play with one of the most respected and admired brands in the world: LEGO,” said Manuel Torres, Senior Vice President Global Toys and Electronics for Nickelodeon. “LEGO’s system of play combined with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle power will lend itself to hours and hours of creativity and fun for kids and families around the globe.”

The series begins as the turtles emerge from their hidden lair in the sewers for the very first time, ready to confront the wondrous and hostile world of New York City and face enemies more dangerous and pizza more delicious than anything they could have imagined. Funnier and with more ninjutsu than ever before, the show will explore the companionship of four teenage brothers learning to rely on themselves and one another as they unravel the mystery of their existence and grow to become the heroes in a half-shell that they are destined to be. The premiere episode was executive produced by Ciro Nieli, Joshua Sternin &J.R. Ventimilia and Peter Hastings.

The 26-episode, half-hour action-comedy series breathes new life into the wildly popular band of reptile brothers played by Jason Biggs (American Pie) as “Leonardo,” Rob Paulsen (Planet Sheen) as “Donatello” (Paulsen also voiced the original “Raphael” from 1987-1996 in the very first TMNT series), Greg Cipes (Teen Titans) as “Michelangelo” and Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings) as “Raphael.” The series airs regularly on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT).

Considered one of the most popular kids’ television programs of the 1980s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a classic, global property created in 1984 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It first debuted as a successful comic book series and then became a hit animated TV show, a live-action television series and later spawned four blockbuster theatrical releases. The property also has translated into a significant consumer products business—with DVDs, video games, toys and more–that has generated billions of dollars at retail.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be brought to life in LEGO form with a series of vehicles, renowned scenes and iconic LEGO minifigures.

The LEGO Group and Nickelodeon will be expanding their global partnership to develop construction toys inspired by the recently launched CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series. The collectibles are scheduled to launch in North America and the UK in January 2013 and will roll out in global markets later in the year.

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brings the action-packed adventures of Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Leonardo to life in LEGO form with a series of vehicles, renowned scenes and iconic LEGO minifigures.

LEGO and Nickelodeon have a long-standing relationship, first partnering together in 2006 to create LEGO SpongeBob Squarepants. “We are thrilled to partner again with Nickelodeon to help bring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to a new generation of kids,” said Jill Wilfert, vice president, licensing and entertainment for The LEGO Group. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles seamlessly combines action and comedy and Nickelodeon is brilliantly balancing what was great about the original property while still making it feel fresh. No doubt fans and builders alike will love the LEGO products our team has created.”

After their very successful return to television earlier this year, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are also coming in brick form. Nickelodeon and LEGO have teamed up to make new sets and mini-figures from the brand new cartoon series. The sets will launch in January of 2013 and we've got a look at one of them for you here. Seen below is the "Shellraiser Street Chase" and it features Leonardo, Michelangelo, Dogpound, a Foot Soldier, and a Kraang Droid.

BILLUND, Denmark - The LEGO Group and Nickelodeon, has expanded a global partnership to develop construction toys inspired by the CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) series. The collection is scheduled to launch in North America and the UK January 2013.

The LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will brings the adventures of Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Leonardo to play time with a series of vehicles, renowned scenes and LEGO minifigures. A playset and select minifigures from the upcoming line was unveiled at this year's New York Comic-Con.

"We are thrilled to partner again with Nickelodeon to help bring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to a new generation of kids," said Jill Wilfert, vice president, licensing and entertainment, The LEGO Group, in a statement. "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles seamlessly combines action and comedy and Nickelodeon is brilliantly balancing what was great about the original property while still making it feel fresh. No doubt fans and builders alike will love the LEGO products our team has created."
The new TMNT construction collection is slated to enter global markets later in 2013.